Broadway Now Part 1

Broadway. You have a great deal of latitude with this option: you could tell me what is playing on Broadway right now, where and how does one buy tickets, which are the hottest shows and why? What have YOU seen? What do you want to see and why? Who are the stars? The composers? The directors? Tell me interesting stories about the history of the shows. Which shows have been running the longest? What shows recently closed and why? Which shows have won major awards? (500 words min).


Where and How Does One Buy Tickets?


The best place someone can go to find tickets and packages for Broadway shows is Broadway.com (http://www.broadway.com/). This site allows you to see what shows are playing and when. It also gives you deals and tips on how to make ticket packages so you can see a couple shows while on your trip to NYC.




Which Are the Hottest Shows and Why?

The top 10 shows currently playing on Broadway are The Lion King, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Memphis, Billy Elliot, The Phantom of the Opera, A Little Night Music, Ragtime, In the Heights, and Finian’s Rainbow. Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, Chicago, and West Side Story are also currently running. The Lion King and Mary Poppins are children’s classics which makes them a must see for a lot of families. Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera are currently big “faces” for Broadway musicals. Wicked has become very popular in the musical world and it has a very pop tone to it which appeals to the teenage and young adult crowds. Jersey Boys, Memphis, Billy Elliot, and Mamma Mia are all musicals based on the music by popular music groups or persons. Jersey Boys is based off of music by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Memphis contains music by Bon Jovi. Billy Elliot is all music done by Elton John. And Mamma Mia is music by the famous group ABBA. Chicago, West Side Story, Ragtime, and Finian’s Rainbow are becoming classics that will always be in the eyes and hearts of theatergoers. In the Heights is currently very popular because it is so new and people are interested to see new works that spark on Broadway. Finally, A Little Night Music; this is currently popular not only for the content of the show, but I believe because of who is in the show. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury are two of the shows stars. They, alone, would bring in an audience.



What Have You Seen?

I have only been to New York City once in my life, kind of strange for a musical theater major. But on Broadway I saw Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. When I saw these shows, I absolutely fell in love with musical theater. I loved watching the shows and I thought it would be so amazing to perform on stage one day, any stage. Then I started acting in 8th grade at my high school. But I absolutely loved these three shows and I would recommend them to anyone if they had the chance to see one (or more) they most definitely should!



What Do You Want To See and Why?

There are two shows that I want to see more than anything that are currently playing. I would absolutely love to see Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia. I grew up watching Disney movies and Mary Poppins was one of my favorites. I would love to see it on stage. I also love the group ABBA and I love the movie version of Mamma Mia. So I would love to see this on stage as well.